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Haw Par Villa
The refreshingly weird and kitsch Haw Par Villa was the brainchild of Aw Boon Haw, the creator of the medicinal salve Tiger Balm. After Aw Boon Haw built a villa here in 1937 for his beloved brother and business partner, Aw Boon Par, the siblings began building a Chinese-mythology
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Church of the Holy Family
With its gracefully curving roof, stained glass and gleaming white edifice, this Catholic church displays an interesting mixture of Western and Asian architecture. Though not the original building (the original chapel on this spot was built in 1923, and the origins of the congregat
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Chinese Garden
Flanking Jurong Lake, the Chinese Garden offers 13.5 hectares of landscaped tranquility – perfect for an afternoon stroll, though not worth the trek from the city alone. The garden features numerous Chinese-style pavilions, a seven-storey pagoda (open 8am to 7pm), an impressive dis
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Peranakan Terrace Houses
Just off Joo Chiat Rd, these two streets feature Singapores most extraordinary Peranakan terrace houses, joyously decorated with stucco dragons, birds, crabs and brilliantly glazed tiles. Pintu pagar (swinging doors) at the front of the houses are another typical feature, allowing
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Malabar Muslim Jama
Architecture goes easy-wipe at the golden-domed Malabar Muslim Jama-Ath Mosque, a curious creation clad entirely in striking, blue geometric tiles. This is the only mosque on the island dedicated to Malabar Muslims from the south Indian state of Kerala, and though the building was
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Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Singapore’s S$600-million Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay offers a nonstop program of international and local performances, and free outdoor performances. Book tickets through SISTIC . The controversial aluminium shades – which have been compared to flies’ eyes, melting honeycomb a
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Seng Wong Beo Temple
Tucked behind red gates next to the Tanjong Pagar MRT station, this temple, seldom visited by tourists, is dedicated to the Chinese City God, who is not only responsible for the well-being of the metropolis but also for guiding the souls of the dead to the underworld. Its also nota
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Labrador Nature Reserve
Combining forest trails rich in birdlife and a beachfront park, Labrador Park is scattered with evocative British war relics, only rediscovered in the 1980s. Look out for old gun emplacements mounted on moss-covered concrete casements as well as for the remains of the entrance to t
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Marina Barrage
Singaporean ingenuity in action, Marina Barrage is both a flood-control dam of the Marina Channel and a gorgeous public park with commanding skyline views. The on-site Sustainable Singapore Gallery includes fascinating photos and archival footage of the Singapore River before its e
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Sri Muneeswaran Hindu Temple
This is believed to be Southeast Asias largest shrine for Sri Muneeswaran, completed in 1998 after the original hut-and-shrine – built by Indian railway workers in 1932 – became a victim of Queensways widening. Interestingly, the building has no central pillars in the inner sanctum
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Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
Little Indias most colourful, visually stunning temple is dedicated to the ferocious goddess Kali, depicted wearing a garland of skulls, ripping out the insides of her victims, and sharing more tranquil family moments with her sons Ganesh and Murugan. The bloodthirsty consort of Sh
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Geylang Serai New Market
Suitably inspired by kampong architecture, this bustling market lies at the heart of Singapores Malay community. The ground floor is crammed with stalls selling everything from tropical fruits and spices to halal meats and Malay CDs. Upstairs, cheap, colourful Islamic fashion hobno
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Baba House
Baba House is one of Singapores best-preserved Peranakan heritage homes. Built in the 1890s, its a wonderful window into the life of an affluent Peranakan family living in Singapore a century ago. Its loving restoration has seen every detail attended to, from the carved motifs on t
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National Library
Designed by Malaysian architect and ecologist Ken Yeang, this white, curvaceous brains trust is home to numerous facilities, including a reference library, lending library and drama centre. For visitors, the real draws are the display of beautiful maps of Asia on level 10 (some dat
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Wak Hai Cheng Bio Temple
The name of this Taoist temple translates as Calm Sea Temple, which serves as a reminder that this area was once lapped by waves. Upon reaching dry land, Teochew Chinese immigrants would head here to give thanks for the safe journey, first at a smaller shrine built in 1826, and the
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Leong San See Temple
Dating from 1917, this relatively modest temple is dedicated to Kuan Yin (Guanyin). The temples name translates as Dragon Mountain Temple, and both its wooden beams and tiled roof ridge are decorated with animated dragons, chimera, flowers and human figures. To get here, walk north
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Abdul Gafoor Mosque
Completed in 1910, the Abdul Gafoor mosque serves up a storybook fusion of Moorish, southern Indian and Victorian architectural styles. Look out for the elaborate sundial crowning its main entrance, each of its 25 rays decorated with Arabic calligraphy denoting the names of 25 prop
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Emerald Hill Road
Take time out from your shopping to wander up frangipani-scented Emerald Hill Rd, graced with some of Singapores finest terrace houses. Special mentions go to No 56 (built in 1902, and one of the earliest buildings here), Nos 39 to 45 (with unusually wide frontages and a grand Chin
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Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Consecrated in 2008, this hulking, five-story Buddhist temple is home to what is reputedly the left canine tooth of the Buddha, recovered from his funeral pyre in Kushinagar, northern India. While its authenticity is debated, the relic enjoys VIP status inside a 420kg solid-gold st
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Merlion
Back in the 1980s, someone at the tourism board created a myth about a half-fish, half-lion, and the gawking tourists helped seal its status as an iconic (nobody said it was pretty) Singapore sight. While visiting this $165,000 concrete creature isnt in itself worth your time, the
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